GE14 | Two days after the 13th general election, which saw BN's worst electoral performance in history, Umno-owned newspaper Utusan Malaysia carried on its front page the controversial headline "Apa Lagi Cina Mahu?" (What more do the Chinese want?).

The article concluded by quoting then outgoing Malacca chief minister Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam accusing the Chinese community of being "very racist" for allegedly voting along racial lines instead of on merit.

Mohd Ali, who was Malacca chief minister for almost 14 years, relinquished his position with an eye on a position in the federal cabinet.

But his planned move from state to federal power was scuttled after he suffered a surprise defeat in the parliamentary seat of Bukit Katil - which is also his hometown.

"They (Chinese community) were not grateful at all. They did not consider my past contributions when they came to see me and ask for help until late night. When I have helped them, this is how I was repaid," Mohd Ali was quoted as saying in a separate Utusan story.

While most people in the country did not take Mohd Ali's words kindly, it may come as a surprise that a significant number within the Chinese community in Bukit Katil do not hold it against the former chief minister.

Several Chinese voters Malaysiakini spoke to in Bukit Katil showered praises on Mohd Ali as a highly hardworking politician. But they would still not support him because of his party and the scandals afflicting the federal government.

For the same reason, the voters said they understood why Mohd Ali would be bitter about having lost the MP seat in 2013.

“Although Ali Rustam lost, he still performs. I have been seeing him around here all the time.

“During Chinese festivals, when there are events organised by temples, he makes visits," said 57-year-old Simon Tan (photo).

From temple ceremonies to weddings, from hospital visits to funerals, from dinners to prayers, Mohd Ali would make time if he was invited.

Tan, who is semi-retired, is supportive of Mohd Ali, believing that his deeds outweigh what he had said in the past.

Party overshadows deeds

Many voters expressed a similar sentiment as Tan in terms of work ethics but were not on the same page when it came to supporting Mohd Ali as a BN candidate.

A civil servant, who did not want to be named due to job security, described Mohd Ali’s lash out at the Chinese community as the words of an angry and disappointed man at the time.

"Of course he was angry. He put in so much time and effort. He is nice to the Chinese community too, listening to the Chinese and attending events,” he said.

However, the man, who is in his late 50s, said he would still not vote for Mohd Ali if he contested again, raising concerns about corruption in the government, which have become international news.

“We want to change the whole government. If this time, it (the government) does not change, then there will be no more chances.

“So, considering this situation, I think I want the government to change, so I will not vote for Mohd Ali, even though he looks like a good candidate,” he said.

Another local voter, also in his 50s, who only wanted to be known as Lee, said it was not Mohd Ali's fault that the Chinese community did not want to vote for him.

“This is a problem of the nation. No matter how good you are (as a candidate), if the leadership is not good, we have no choice but not to support you,” he said.

Other voters weren't happy that Mohd Ali resorted to the race card to express his frustration.

For housewife May Chee, Mohd Ali’s remarks five years ago might have been construed as a racist statement, but she pointed out that Shamsul was also a Malay candidate.

"He was playing the race card as well. I do not know whether I will die first, before the day comes where we no longer play the race card,” she said.

Chee pointed out that the Chinese community voted for Mohd Ali’s opponent Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin, despite he being a Malay as well.

Chipping in, her husband Eric Chua said not everybody can forgive and forget such a remark because it was unbecoming of a chief minister at that time.

However, regardless of Mohd Ali's strengths or weaknesses, Chua (photo, with his wife) also believes that people would vote along party lines.

“I still think it is about the party. I do not think we are matured enough to just vote for a candidate.

“It is either you want BN to rule or don’t want BN to rule," said the businessperson.

Redelineation trump card

Mohd Ali was defeated by PKR vice-president Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin by a 5,447-vote majority in the last general election.

Shamsul may face a tough battle to defend the seat following the approval of the new electoral borders.

Following the redelineation exercise, the polling districts of Taman Melaka Baru, Batu Berendam, Taman Merdeka, Taman Asean and Malim Jaya were moved from Bukit Katil into neighbouring Kota Melaka, a long-time opposition stronghold.

 

Collectively, the five polling stations made up 13,831 PKR votes and 5,856 BN votes in the last general election.

This would leave Shamsul with a 7,975-vote deficit, effectively erasing his 5,447-vote majority win and could even give BN up to a 1,242-vote surplus.

Following the redelineation, the Bukit Katil parliamentary seat was also renamed as Hang Tuah Jaya.

Federal leaders including Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi have also thrown their weight behind Mohd Ali.

Najib, who attended the launch of the Hang Tuah Jaya election operations centre on March 20, declared that BN "really, really" wanted the parliamentary seat back.

Zahid had also pledged to ensure Mohd Ali makes a comeback in Hang Tuah Jaya.

With the redelineation, Mohd Ali's Chinese problem appears resolved, but a Malay revolt that Umno splinter Bersatu is trying to build may pose new challenges for the 68-year-old politician.